Signal conversion using state sensitive device arrays

Abstract

An analog to digital conversion device and method utilizing an array of state sensitive cells. A gate timing component selectively exposes each cell to an analog input signal to effect a change in the exposed cell's state. Upon shielding the cell from exposure, the state change is ascertained by a cell measurement component to determine a digital value representative of the input signal amplitude at exposure.

I claim: 
     
       1. An analog to digital conversion device, the device comprising:
 a plurality of state sensitive memristor cells, each adapted to selectively receive an analog input signal for conversion; 
 a gate timing control component adapted to selectively determine which of the plurality of state sensitive cells is to receive the analog input signal at a given time; and 
 a cell measurement control component adapted to measure the change in the resistance of each of the plurality of state sensitive cells and to convert the measured change to a digital value representative of the received analog input signal amplitude. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the gate timing control component is adapted to selectively allow sequential state sensitive cells to receive the analog input signal at a predetermined regular time interval. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the gate timing control component is adapted to selectively allow sequential state sensitive cells to receive the analog input signal at an adaptable variable time interval. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1 , the cell measurement control component further comprising:
 an analog to digital converter adapted to measure the change in the voltage drop across each of the plurality of state sensitive cells. 
 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1 , the cell measurement control component further comprising:
 a comparator circuit, a constant current circuit, and a counter circuit adapted to measure and compare an electrical resistance change of each of the plurality of state sensitive cells after receiving the analog input signal with the respective cell's initial resistance to produce the digital value representative of the received analog input signal voltage. 
 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 1 , the cell measurement control component further comprising:
 an automated processing device adapted to determine the received input signal amplitude for each of the plurality of state sensitive cells based upon the time required to return each cell to a known resistance value. 
 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 1 , the cell measurement control component further comprising:
 an automated processing device adapted to determine the received input signal amplitude for each of the plurality of state sensitive cells based upon the current required to return each cell to a known resistance value. 
 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 1 , the cell measurement control component further comprising:
 an automated processing device adapted to determine the received input signal amplitude for each of the plurality of state sensitive cells based upon the voltage required to return each cell to a known resistance value. 
 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 1 , the cell measurement control component further comprising:
 an automated processing device adapted to determine the received input signal amplitude for each of the plurality of state sensitive cells based upon the directly-measured resistance value of each of the plurality of state sensitive cells. 
 
     
     
       10. A method for performing analog to digital conversion of an analog input signal, the method steps comprising:
 a) providing an array of state sensitive cells, each cell having been initialized to an initial state value; 
 b) exposing a first cell of the array to an analog input signal for a period of time to alter the first cell's initial state value; 
 c) shielding the first cell from the analog input signal while measuring the change in the first cell altered state value; and 
 d) determining a digital value based upon this altered state value, the digital value representative of the input signal amplitude to which the first cell was exposed. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , the method steps further comprising:
 e) repeating steps b) through d) for one or more additional cells of the array. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 10 , the method steps further comprising:
 e) restoring the first cell of the array to its initial state value; and 
 f) repeating steps b) through e) for the remaining cells of the array; and 
 g) repeating steps b) through f) so as to repeatedly cycle through each of the cells in the array for a period of time. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 10 , the method steps further comprising:
 applying an excitation signal to the first cell to determine the cell's altered state value; and 
 comparing the altered and initial state values to determine the digital value. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 10 , the method steps further comprising:
 applying a known excitation signal to the first cell and measuring the time required to return the first cell to the initial state value; and 
 determining the digital value based upon the known excitation signal and the time required to return the first cell to the initial state value. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the array of cells comprises memristor materials and the state value is an electrical resistance value. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , the method steps further comprising:
 obtaining a plurality of operational data to correlate exposure voltage, exposure duration, and electrical resistance change for each of the plurality of state sensitive cells; and 
 determining the digital value based on a comparison of the measured change in electrical resistance with the correlated data. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 15 , the method steps further comprising:
 obtaining a plurality of operational data to correlate exposure current, exposure duration, and electrical resistance change for each of the plurality of state sensitive cells; and 
 determining the digital value based on a comparison of the measured change in electrical resistance with the correlated data. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 15 , the method steps further comprising:
 determining the digital value based on the time required to return to a known resistance value. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 15 , the method steps further comprising:
 determining the frequency of the analog input signal using a plurality of cell measurements; and 
 correcting the cell measurements based on the determined frequency.